You might already be aware of this fact, but everyone who follows a diet and/or a lifestyle that is not the “norm” is called a fanatic or an extremist by someone at some time. This is, as they say, par-for-the-course. Perhaps it is just human nature, sometimes it is just ignorance, often it is nothing more than a means of suppressing conviction, but the fact remains that dietary reform almost always attracts the fanatic/extremist label from some quarter.

Do not become discouraged, therefore, when they hung this label on you and/or your loved ones

And, more importantly, always respond with a smile. Sometimes people react in this way only because they do not know what you know. When they do know what you know, they will probably do as you do.

Does this not challenge us to help our “accusers” to know what we know? As such, we should kindly, tactfully, patiently work at informing them, and soon they too will have taken a step for better health – and they will one day thank us for our patience and our gentle guidance.

As health reformers, our goal is not to see how different we can be, but to see how kind, accommodating, and how caring we can be – despite our differences. What we eat and what we do is our choice in life, helping others to feel comfortable with their choices, and with ours, is our privilege in life.

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Always put on a healthy dose of patience and tolerance, and try and meet everyone where they are

Reform is always progressive and, as such, we must make allowance for others – just as we had to make allowance for ourselves in times past when our own convictions demanded changes that we were not quite ready to make.

More often than not, the very ones who call you a fanatic will be those who are literally eating themselves to death, or drugging themselves to death. At such times you will be sorely tempted to confront them impatiently with all the scientific facts. But, in truth, we need to feel very sorry for people who are intent on depriving themselves of the rewards of a healthful lifestyle and diet. By keeping this thought in mind, you can turn your feelings of impatience into feelings of deep sympathy and kindness and, with such feelings, you will be well equipped to help your “accusers.”

Try as you will, though, you will not be able to persuade some folk to turn from their wrong habits. This is especially the case with the older generation. Do not allow the situation to cause animosity, however. We must choose to enjoy the friendship and love of others – even if they choose to eat their way into the grave. Always remember that genuine kindness and genuine concern will often do in a moment what argument and scientific fact will fail to do in a lifetime.

We consider that the article following is a must-read for all who take to the path of healthful living and eating.

How to avoid being a fanatic

Not all who profess to believe in dietetic reform are really reformers. With many persons the reform consists merely in discarding certain unwholesome foods. They do not understand clearly the principles of health, and their tables, still loaded with harmful dainties, are far from being an example of temperance and moderation. Here’s how to avoid being an extremist.

Those who understand the laws of health and governed by principle, will shun the extremes, both of indulgence and of restriction. You have to choose your diet, not for the mere gratification of appetite, but for the upbuilding of your body. You see, your appetite is under the control of reason and conscience, and the reward is good health of body and mind. Try not urge your views offensively upon others. Your testimony should be in favor of the right principles. If you do this, you’ll have a wide influence for good.

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Your diet reform should be progressive. As disease in animals increases, the use of meat, milk and eggs will become more and more unsafe. Make an effort should be to supply their place with other things that are healthful and inexpensive. In this light, people everywhere should learn how to cook without flesh foods, milk and eggs, so far as possible, and yet have their food wholesome and palatable.

Some are continually anxious lest their food, however simple and healthful, may hurt them. To these let me say, Do not think that your food will injure you; do not think about it at all. Eat according to your best judgment; and be at rest.

Because principle requires us to discard those things that irritate the stomach and impair health, we should remember that an impoverished diet produces poverty of the blood. Cases of disease most difficult to cure result from this cause. The system is not sufficiently nourished, and dyspepsia and general debility are the result. Those who use such a diet are not always compelled by poverty to do so, but they choose it through ignorance or negligence, or to carry out their erroneous ideas of reform.

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Boost your energy with just 1 Tbsp added to a bowl of cereal

Carefully consider your diet. Study from cause to effect. Cultivate self-control. Keep appetite under the control of reason. Never abuse the stomach by overeating, but do not deprive yourself of the wholesome, palatable food that health demands.

No one should permit opposition or ridicule, or a desire to please or influence others, to turn him from true principles, or cause him lightly to regard them. Those who follow the health reform principle will be firm and decided in standing for the right; yet in all their associations they will manifest a generous spirit and true moderation.

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Source: http://www.natureschoice.co.za/best-ever-must-reads/on-fanaticism-and-extremes-2/

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